When MSNBC news correspondent Norah O’Donnell and her husband, chef Geoff Tracy, published Baby Love, we felt a moment of guilt (and jealousy). How could they — with their demanding jobs and three kids under 4 — have time to make their own healthy baby food and write a book about it?

Two weeks worth of fresh baby food in less than one hour is how. So we asked them to whip up a Halloween recipe for us — in their spare time.

Jack-o’-Lantern Muffins
Makes around two dozen

Ingredients
1 stick butter, room temperature
1 c. sugar
2 eggs
1 c. unbleached, all-purpose flour
1 c. whole wheat flour
1 tsp. baking soda
½ tsp. salt
1½ c. pumpkin puree (recipe below)
½ tsp. nutmeg
½ tsp. cinnamon
½ tsp. allspice
½ tsp. ground ginger

1. Preheat oven to 350º.

2. Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs.

3. Mix together all-purpose flour, wheat flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, allspice, and ground ginger. Add to creamed mixture and mix well.

4. Mix in pumpkin puree.

5. Spoon the mixture into a small or large muffin tin. Bake small muffins for 20 minutes. Bake large muffins 25-30 minutes. Check for doneness with a toothpick inserted into the center of the muffin. If it comes out clean, the muffins are ready to remove and cool on a rack.

Pumpkin Puree

Ingredients
3-5 pound pumpkin

1. Remove top and spoon out seeds and stringy insides.

2. Slice pumpkin in half and put in baking dish with 1-2 cups water.

3. Bake for 90 minutes at 350º. Remove from oven and allow to cool.

4. Spoon out flesh of pumpkin and puree until smooth.

For more delicious recipes, check out Baby Love, by Norah O’Donnell and Geoff Tracy, available online at amazon.com.

STRETCH
Om Baby, Child of the Universe
What: Author Schamet Horsfield drops by to read from her new book.
Why: Treat your teeny yogi to a copy, since a tree is planted for each one sold.
When: Sat., 2-4 p.m.
Where: Bootyland, 1317 E. Pine St. (206-328-0636). Admission is free.

BOO
Hoot ’n’ Howl
What: Check out the candy lab, make crafts, and score plenty of treats.
Why: Hitch a tram ride and search for critters running below.
When: Fri. & Sat., 6-10 p.m.
Where: Northwest Trek Wildlife Park, 11610 Trek Dr. E., Eatonville (360-832-6117). Reservations (recommended) online at nwtrek.org. Adults and teens, $10.50 in advance/$12.50 at the door; children 3-12, $6.50 in advance/$8.50 at the door.

HARVEST
Dr. Maze’s Farm
What: Search for the perfect pumpkin, visit farm animals, and snack on seasonal treats.
Why: Wander hither and yon in the tricky corn maze.
When: Mon.-Thurs. & Sun., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Fri. & Sat., 10 a.m.-10 p.m.
Where: 15410 NE 124th St., Redmond (425-869-9777). Admission is free. Corn maze, $7; under 2, free.

Photo: elena’s pantry / Flickr

	Up to 50% off Hat Attack Leave it to Hat Attack to create cold weather accessories that make you proud to have hat head. The husband-and-wife duo’s cozy gear (knit hats, convertible gloves, earmuffs) is up to 50% off on Swirl.